- M - JAMES MARTIN, one of the pioneers of this county, was born in Jefferson County, Ky., in 1798. He was a son of Nicholas Martin, a native of Ireland, who was educated for the priesthood; emigrated to England, where he married; thence to America about 1794: settled in Pennsylvania; removed to Kentucky, where he resided until his death. His occupation was farming. James Martin, the eldest son, was educated at the common schools. At eighteen years of age he left home, went to Terre Haute, Ind., and apprenticed himself to the carpenter's trade, remaining there six months. At Louisville, Ky., he commenced business as a contractor. He removed to Shelbyville. Tenn., and finally, in 1821 or 1822, came to Florence. In 1830 or 1840, associated with others, he purchased the mills known as the "Skipworth Cotton-Mills," on Cypress Creek. In 1843 the mills were burned, but were immediately rebuilt on a larger scale, and resumed operations with eighty looms. About this time A. D. Hunt, of Louisville, was admitted as a partner, and the firm became Martin, Cassity & Co. This firm existed about five-years when Hunt resigned, and S. D. Weakley and A. D. Coffee became partners, and it was changed to Martin. Weakley & Co. Under this partnership the mill property was greatly improved, and operated successfully until 1863, when the mills were destroyed by the Federal troops. After the war Mr. James Martin purchased all the interests in its ruins. In 1866 one of the mills was rebuilt, which James Martin successfully operated until his death. James Martin was one of the charter members of Cypress Lodge. F. & A. M., of Florence, Ala., and received the highest considerations of that honorable body. In politics he was an old-line Whig. He died at his home near Florence, in the seventy-first year of his age. McDONALD, Stephen Emery - mechanic and legislator, was born December 27, 1862 at Green Hill, Lauderdale Co.; son of Joseph Emery and Genie (English) McDonald, the former a native of Wartrace, Bedford County, TN, moving in 1834 to Green Hill, where he was a teacher and Baptist; grandson of John and Margaret (Emery) McDonald. He was educated in the public and high schools of Green Hill; is a general mechanic and primitive Baptist minister, being ordained in 1890. He was one of the representatives in the legislature of 1919, from Lauderdale Co. He is a Democrat; and Knight of Honor. Married December 17, 1905 at Florence to Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Bettie (Brent) Hall, of that place. Children - several, all deceased. Residence: Florence. Source: History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography By Thomas McAdory Owen McDONALD, William Lindsey (Bill), born June 7, 1927, is a native of Florence, Alabama. A lover of history since he was a young boy, Bill McDonald is known for his in-depth knowledge of the area's history. A tireless researcher, he has been the Florence City Historian since 1989, and has authored or co-authored fifteen books and innumerable articles in magazines, newspapers and periodicals. After serving in World War II, Dr. McDonald received a degree in business administration from Florence State Teachers College (now UNA) in 1952. He was a member of the first graduation class of the new ROTC program and after graduation from college he left to serve as a Second Lieutenant in the Korean War. A retired Army Reserve Colonel with thirty-eight years of service, Dr. McDonald's reserve duty included assignments on the staffs of the Provost Marshal General and the Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel at the Pentagon. In addition to his Florence State degree, Dr. McDonald graduated from the Army's Command and General Staff College (1974), the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (1975); and pursued seminary studies in the United Methodist Church. He is a member of the National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. After returning to the Shoals, Dr. McDonald was employed with the Tennessee Valley National Fertilizer Development Center and retired in 1988 as Chief of the Budget Staff. A retired minister, he served several rural churches in Lauderdale and Colbert Counties, and has written prolifically on the history of Methodism in North Alabama. From 1968 to 1989 he served as Chair of the Florence Historical Board and in 1989 was appointed City Historian, a position he still holds. He also has served as president of the Tennessee Valley Historical Society and the North Alabama Historical Association, as well as Conference Historian for the North Alabama United Methodist Church. Dr. McDonald has assisted in the organization of five museums in the North Alabama area and researched and written the texts for more than seventy-five historical markers in Florence, Lauderdale County and Courtland. The recipient of numerous awards and commendations, Dr. McDonald was recognized by the UNA Alumni Association with a Community Service Award in October 2000 and conferred with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree by UNA in May 2006. Bill McDonald has been collecting historical information about the Shoals area for more than half a century. His research involves personal interviews, painstaking analysis of original documents and materials, and an uncanny ability to piece together information and ideas in unique and interesting ways. His personal collection includes notes, hundreds of photographs, research documents, and a number of limited and one-of-a kind resources. In addition to his books, the public most often has access to Dr. McDonald's wealth of knowledge through his writings on Shoals history in the Florence Times-Daily. Bill McDonald is married to Dorothy Carter McDonald, an artist and retired teacher in the Florence City School System. They live on family land in Florence and have two daughters: Dr. Nancy Carter McDonald and Suzannah Lee McDonald. History In The Making Author of "A Walk Through The Past 2003 McKINLEY, John - was born in Culpepper County, Virginia in 1780. At an early age, his father died and his family moved to Kentucky. In 1800, McKinley began the practice of law in Louisville and Frankfort, Kentucky. John McKinley and other Kentuckians moved to Huntsville, Alabama in 1818. He was one of the early settlers of Huntsville. While a resident of Huntsville, he lived in the house known today as the Howard Weeden Home. It is listed on the National Register and located in Huntsville’s Twickenham Historic District. In 1818, McKinley, along with members of the Alabama Land Company and the Tennessee Land Company, formed the Cypress Land Company. This company was created to buy land from the federal government and develop the new town of Florence, Alabama. As one of the acting trustees of the Cypress Land Company, he is considered one of the founders of Florence, and he oversaw much of the town’s early development. McKinley served on the original board of trustees of Florence’s First Presbyterian Church and is credited with starting one of the area’s first schools. In 1838, while a resident of Florence, John McKinley was appointed the 23rd Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court by President Martin Van Buren. Upon installation, he became the first justice to serve on the newly-created Ninth circuit and much of his tenure was devoted to his “circuit riding duties.” In just one year, McKinley was reported to have traveled over 10,000 miles. Justice McKinley’s contribution to constitutional legal theory include his opinions in Bank of Augusta v. Earle, 38 U.S. (13 Pet.) 519 (1839), Groves v. Slaughter, 40 U.S. (15 Pet.) 449 (1841) and The Passenger Cases, 48 U.S. (7 How.) 283 (1849). He was on the court when the decision in United States v. The Libellants and Claimants of the Schooner Amistad, 15 Peters 518 (1841) was issued. This case served as the basis for Steven Spielberg’s epic movie “La Amistad.” Traveling requirements, age and stress took a toll on McKinley’s health. In 1842, he moved to Louisville, Kentucky to reduce his traveling requirements. McKinley continued serving on the Supreme Court until his death in 1852. He is buried in Louisville’s Cave Hill Cemetery. Prior to ascending to the high court, McKinley made a substantial impact on the state’s history. He represented North Alabama in the Alabama State Legislature. Justice McKinley represented Alabama in Congress as both a United States Senator and a member of the United States House of Representatives. In Congress, he was a leading advocate of public land sales and introduced legislation which many consider to be the forerunner of the Tennessee Valley Authority. History regards McKinley as one of the leading benefactors of public education in Alabama. As an original member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama, he helped design, plan and develop the University. In addition, McKinley donated the property for the educational institution known today as Athens State University. Throughout his life, McKinley developed many contacts and friendships. In Kentucky, he performed legal work for Henry Clay. They became friends and McKinley supported him in the Presidential election of 1824. In Florence, he developed friendships with John Coffee, James Jackson and Andrew Jackson. While a member of the U.S. House, he developed a close friendship with then-Speaker of the House and Columbia, Tennessee native James K. Polk. It was Polk who advocated McKinley’s appointment to the Supreme Court. President Van Buren, who appointed McKinley, may have felt some obligation to McKinley after he helped ensure Van Buren’s 1838 Presidential election. On the Court, McKinley and Chief Justice Roger Taney shared a boarding room in Washington, D.C. while the Court was in session. Justice McKinley is one of three Alabamians to serve on the United States Supreme Court. John Archibald Campbell filled the vacancy on the Court created by the death of Justice McKinley, and the federal courthouse in Mobile is named in his honor. The Hugo Black Federal Courthouse in Birmingham is named after the third Alabamian to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Excerpted from the article "Justice McKinley Honored" by William E. Smith, Jr. in The Alabama Lawyer, November 1999. Another Biography John McKinley, one of the most active of our earl public men, was a citizen of Lauderdale. He grew to manhood in Franklin county, Kentucky, but was probably a native of Virginia, and born about 1778. He was a mechanic in early life, but read law, and practiced for some years in Frankfort. In 1818 he came to Alabama, and located hi Huntsville as a lawyer. In 1820 he represented Madison in the house. When Mr. Walker resigned his seat in the federal senate, in 1822, Mr. McKinley was beaten for the position by one majority for Hon. Wm. Kelly of Madison. In ???? he was elected to the vacant seat in the federal senate caused by the death of Gov. Pickens, the vote standing: McKinley 41, C. C. Clay 38. While holding this position lie became a citizen of Lauderdale. His term having expired in 1831, he represented Lauderdale in the legislature the same year. In 1833 he was elected to represent the district of congress, defeating Gen. James Davis of Franklin, hut was not a candidate for re-election. In 1836 he again served Lauderdale in the lower house. Daring the session he was elected to the federal senate to succeed Gov. Gabriel Moore, receiving 72 votes to the 45 cast for Hon. A. F. Hopkins of Madison. Before taking his seat, however, he was appointed by President Van Buren an associate justice of the supreme court of the United States, May 1837. From that time till his death he held the exalted station, residing much of the time in Washington and Louisville, Ky. He died in tho latter city in 1852. His daughter, Mrs. Donald Campbell, is now a resident of Louisville, and his son, Andrew McKinley, held some important office in that State. He was a large framed man, stalwart and raw-boned. His ability was very considerable, and his tenacity of purpose and great energy proved to be winning cards in the game of life. He was moody and rather irritable, but very generally esteemed. Alabama - Her Resources and History by Willis Brewer 1872 MILLER, Robert - Lauderdale is the homo of Robert Miller Patton. He was born in Russell county, Virginia, Jan. 10, 1809. His father, Wm. Patton, was an Irishman who came to Virginia when young, and there married a Miss Hays. These humble but industrious people came to Madison county in 1812, and there brought up a number of highly respectable children. This son, after taking an academic course, engaged hi mercantile pursuits in Huntsville till 1829, when he came to Florence. Here he continued the business with great profit for thirty years, adding to it that of a planter, and amassing considerable wealth. In 1836 he was elected to the lower house of the legislature, but held no other public trust till 1851, when he was chosen to the senate. For eleven years he filled that position, serving as president of the body in 1861. The year following he resigned in order to save something of his largo estate, the enemy having over-run the Tennessee valley. During the war he was grievously harassed by the federal troops, who laid waste the entire county. In 1865 he represented Lauderdale in the " reconstruction convention," and in the fall of the same year was elected governor over Col. M.J. Bulger of Tallapoosa and Hon. Wm. R. Smith of Tuskaloosa. Tho vote stood: Patton 23,042; Bulger 16,713; Smith 9,219. He entered the executive chamber at a time when his sound sense and large experience were in grave demand. But his herculean task of organizing a government out of chaotic fragments was seriously impeded by the conflicting sentiments of the people of the State, and the hostile legislation of the federal congress. His administration of two and a half years was finally ended, July 13, 1868, by the prescript of congress. Gov. Patton retired to renew his private employments at his charming homo, "Sweet Water," near Florence—a spot kindly remembered by Confederate soldiers. Gov. Patton is stoutly built, and of ordinary height. His features are an index of his acknowledged energy, moderation, sobriety, and benevolence. His life, though enterprising, has been blameless, and the annalist of Alabama can point to none more useful and respected. He married a daughter of Gen. James Brahan, a very prominent citizen for many years of this county. Two of his sons were killed in the Confederate service. Dr. Charles A. Patton, a prominent citizen of Madison, is a brother. Col. Weeden of Madison, a brave field officer of the 4th Alabama infantry, married a daughter of Gov. Patton. Alabama - Her Resources and History by Willis Brewer 1872 MILTON, William C. - farmer and stock raiser, was born in Lauderdale County, Alabama, Dec 14, 1826, and is a son of Elisha and Nancy (Morphis) Milton, natives of North Carolina. In 1836 the family moved to Arkansas and located in Franklin Co., where the father entered land and improved the farm upon which our subject now lives. Here a family of six sons and one daughter was reared. Of these, four sons and the daughter are now living. One of the sons is now a resident of Texas. All six brothers joined the Confederate army, five enlisting from Franklin Co., and two met their deaths while in service. William C. grew to manhood upon the home farm, and lived with his father until the death of the latter. In 1853 he married Eliza, daughter of D.L. Bourland, now deceased, but formerly of Tennessee. Mrs. Milton was born in Tennessee and is the mother of six children: Wallace (in business at Charleston, Ark., married Elizabeth Richardson in 1881, the daughter of E. Richardson, deceased), Carroll (in Fort Jeffers, deceased, now resides in Mulberry), Walker, Dennie (married R.L. Jeffers in 1885 and Minnie. In 1862 Mr. Milton enlisted in the Confederate army, and served in Col. Thompson's regiment until the close of the war. He fought at Fayetteville and Fort Smith, and several skirmishes. He was disbanded in Texas, whither his family had gone during the war. In September 1865, he returned to Franklin County and resumed his farming. He now owns eighty acres of good land under cultivation, and has in all 200 acres. His barns and out-buildings are well constructed, and he lives in a good one-story house. Mr. Milton is a Master Mason of the Ozark Lodge, and his wife is a Presbyterian. Charleston Township With the beginning of the present decade, and the completion of the St. Louis & San Francisco Railway to Fort Smith, there has been a backward move in Charleston business that nothing less than a railway outlet can materially check. The site for a town is beautiful, and the broad prairies surrounding it only seem to need a railway to develop them. The leading general merchants are Falconer & Armistead, D.Y. Berry, L. Newton, V.V. Beavers and W.A. MILTON; W.P. Richardson and F.D. Proctor are grocers; drugs are handled by A.P. Richardson and D. L. Winters; Dr. W.L. Kelleam has a flour-mill and gin; R.S. Bridgman has a hardware; furniture is sold by J.D. Bolling..... SOURCE: Northwestern Arkansas Volume, p. 1261, 1262 &654 (1880) DONATED BY: Howard Lehman. FROM: M/M POT V. 11 pg. 6. MITCHELL, John Jackson - Probate Judge, Lauderdale County, was born at Florence, September 15, 1854, and is a son of the late Rev. Wm. H. Mitchell, D.D., of the Presbyterian Church. Rev. Dr. Mitchell was a native of Ireland. He came to America in 1843, and died at Florence in 1872, at the age of 59 years. J. J. Mitchell was educated at Florence, and at the University of Mississippi, afterward graduating in bookkeeping at Eastman College, at Atlanta. He studied law at the Lebanon Law School, Lebanon, Tenn., and was admitted to the bar of that State. He subsequently purchased the Chilton County Covriw, published at Canton, Ala., conducted it a few months, sold out, and came to Florence. where, in 1870, he purchased the Gazette, of Jus. B. Ervine. He edited the Gazette up to January, 1881; and, having in November of the preceding year been made Clerk of the Probate Court, he sold the paper to Major Morgan. He occupied the position of Clerk of Probate until January, 1884. and. having in that year purchased the Alabama Progress, published at Florence, he changed its name to the North Star; conducted that paper for twelve months, and sold it out to Mr. I. S. Barr, who, in J.SS*>, merged it into the Banner. In 1886 he was elected Judge of Probate. Mr. Mitchell was married at Prattville, Ala., June 25, 1879. to Miss Etoile Kurd, and has had born to him two children. Though quite a young man, Judge Mitchell is regarded as one of the best officials Lauderdale County has had. His popularity is attested by his successful election to the office over a combination of independents and others, of supposed great strength, by a neat majority. Northern Alabama Historical & Biographical by T.A. DeLand and A. Davis Smith 1888 Birmingham AL John Jackson Mitchell, lawyer born Sept. 15, 1854 in Florence Al, the son of Wm Henry & Martha Jackson Mitchell. John was educated in the private school of Florence, the Florence Wesleyan University, and University of Mississippi. Was educated LL. b. from the law department of Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tn. in 1874. He was a journalist, for "Chilton County Courier" 1875-1876. The Florence Gazette 1876-1882. He was elected probate judge of Lauderdale Co Al1886-1892. In Jan 1900 to 1904 was a judge. A member of house of Representatives from 1896-1897 which passed the tax commission law of which he was the author. Served as chairman in the on ways and means 1898-1899. 1907-1911 he was chairman of the state tax commission. He was a democrat has served as chairman of the Lauderdale Democrat executive committee in 1884. A member of state democratic executive committee 1906. He was a deacon and elder of the Presbyterian church and an Elk. He married June 25, 1879 to Etoile Hurd, (1856-1932), daughter of Joseph and Mary Abbot Hurd, natives of NJ . children William Henry and Joseph Mitchell. Biography from Sandra Hughes (Find-A-Grave) Son of William H. Mitchell (1812 - 1872) and Martha Jackson Mitchell (1812 - 1879) MITCHELL, William Henry was a Presbyterian minister & College president. Born Sept. 20, 1812 in Ireland died October 3, 1872 in Lauderdale Co Al. He was the son of James and Mary Nelson Mitchell of Ireland. He came to America about 1840 and later became pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Wetumpk. He moved to Florence where he was pastor until 1872. He was made president of the female college, Florence Synodical until his death in 1872. Mitchell was arrested by Harlan for praying for in the Presbyterian pulpit for the success of the Confederacy. He was sent to the military prison at Alton, Il. He was in prison for six months paroled September 1865. He was a Democrat and ardent Secessionist, & a mason. He married in Ireland to Annie Jane Byrne the daughter of John, of Dundork. His second wife was Martha the daughter of James and Sarah Moore Jackson, of "The Forks" near Florence, Al. Children: David, deceased, Anne who married Samuel Adams of Wetumpka, Mary Nelson who married Robert Martin of florence, Al. William Henry Jr. deceased, John Jackson married Etoile Hurd of Prattville. MOORE, Hugh McVay - The subject of this sketch, was born in Lauderdale County, Ala., May 15. 1835. He was the eldest of five children (all boys). His parents were Lewis C. and Attie P. (McVay) Moore, both now deceased. All of the five sons served in the Southern Army until the close of the war. John M. was killed near Pulaski, Tenn., under General Forrest. Samuel EL was killed at second Manassas. J. Polk died January 10,1887. Lewis C, the only surviving brother: was a member of the Fourth Alabama Cavalry, is now engaged in farming near his old homestead. H. McVay Moore was educated at the schools of Florence, and followed farming until the outbreak of the war. April 28, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Fourth Alabama Infantry, as a private, and served under General Lee in the Virginia army to the close of the war. He participated in all of the battles of that army. He was also with (Jeneral Longstreet in Tennessee. He was wounded at Gaines' Farm, Chickamauga, Gettysburg and Cold Harbor. At the latter place he was so severely wounded that he has never fully recovered. At the close of the war he returned to his old home and engaged in farming, ginning and milling. His father was killed by a Tory in 1863. Mr. Moore was appointed Sheriff of Lauderdale County in July, 1887, to fill out the unexpired term of J. W. White, deceased. He was married near where he now lives, four and a half miles north of Florence, April 4, 1866, to Miss Fannie E. Rice. Mr. Moore's grandfather, the late Hon. Hugh McVay, represented Lauderdale County in the legislature from 1821 to 1824, inclusive, as Senator, and again in 1828 and 1829; also from 1832 to 1836, inclusive; and l838 to l848, inclusive; and was in the lower house in 1820, 1826, 1830, 1831. He was a member of the Convention at Huntsville, which framed the first Constitution of Alabama, and, as president of the Senate in 1836, became ex-officio Governor on the resignation of Governor Clay, who was elected to the United States Senate. Another writer has said of him in this connection. "His messages were unpretending, plain, frank and honest, in keeping with his whole character from the time he entered public life, in the zenith of his manhood, to an advanced age when he voluntarily retired." He died in 1850, at about 85 years of age. Source: Northern Alabama Historical & Biographical by T.A. DeLand and A. Davis Smith 1888 Birmingham AL MOORE, John Edward - was for many years a resident of this county. He was an elder brother of Col. Syd. Moore of Greene, and was born in Rutherford county, Tennessee, in 1815. Receiving a good education, he read law in Huntsville, was licensed, and practiced there a year or two. Ho then came to Florence, and here pursued his profession. In 1847 he represented the county in the general assembly. In 1851 he was elected to the bench of the circuit court, which responsible position he acted for twelve years. President Pierce tendered him the appointment of territorial judge of Kansas, but he declined it. His death occurred in Greene county in 1864, soon after receiving the appointment of judge of a military court. In person he was tall and spare, with light complexion. His bearing was dignified, his manner cordial. As a judicial officer he was studiously impartial, and filled the measure of an upright and moral magistrate and citizen. He has left a spotless record and an exemplary character. Judge Moore married a Miss Watson. Alabama - Her Resources and History by Willis Brewer 1872